Work on the proposed 40 kilometre long Qatar-Bahrain causeway project is likely to begin in the first quarter of 2010, according to media reports. The Qatar-Bahrain sea crossing is expected to be the world’s longest sea crossing.

The cost of the two-nation causeway has been estimated at $2.7 billion in some media reports. Furthermore, Qatar and Bahrain will contribute $700 million, and the remaining $2 billion will be provided through loans to be taken by the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway Foundation.

The proposed Qatar-Bahrain causeway will be designed to carry passengers and freight by road and rail between Qatar and Bahrain. The roadway will consist two traffic lanes and an emergency lane in each direction. The rail track will provide two sets of track for freight and high-speed passenger trains.